Hi all,
A lot of us have used the National Parks System and/or state parks and realize how important the rangers in those facilities are to us. They for the most part are underpaid but extremely dedicated in providing us with a safe and enjoyable visit to a park. Now we may be able to repay their dedication. While volunteering in Everglades Nat Park in '08 and '09 I got to know a young ranger very well, Mason McCleod. Last month Mason, two other young rangers, a pilot and their plane disappeared while returning to their home base in Katmai NP, AK. Please connect to the above web site and see if you could assist the parents of the missing ranger's in their request. They are not asking for money; they are asking for help in convincing the gov't in helping to continue the now called off search for the group by contacting federal reps from your local areas, web sites are provided on that web site. There are a lot of us and we all know the squeaky wheel gets the grease, so please help. After working with Mason for two years in the interp section of the Everglades, I assure you he made many visitor's experience there a worthwhile adventure, as do most of all of the rangers in the system. They are a dedicated group of people and maybe we can pay back some of their efforts by a few moments of internet time. Do something to make yourself feel good as well as assisting the families of the missing. Googling Katmai missing nps rangers and plane will give you news articles about the disappearance. There are a lot of us on this forum, let's put it to good use.
Thanks
GreggH

First, thanks to all who took the time to respond to the missing rangers' families' request.
I just received an email from NPS stating that debris from the plane was spotted by a hellicopter pilot along the shore of an area in Katmai. The tail number was verified. NPS and military people are being sent to the area to investigate further. No reports at this time on the missing occupants. I will update if anything further is learned.
GreggH

As a Long time fishing Guide at Crystal Creek Lodge in the heart of Bristol Bay and the Katmai national park region I know this area well and have even used Branch River Air and have flew with the very Pilot that is now lost, I can say that this year was the worst for bad weather flying. It was in everyones mind after Ted Stevens and his pilot crashed (who I also once guided) how bad the summer really was! It is sad that this loss has happened! I was in the air, less than 100 miles away, the very day in the same type of aircraft, ("beaver" float plain) that airplane went down and count my blessings that I made it home alive! The fact that this airplane has never been found up until this point shows how remote of a place this area of Alaska truly is! I truly wish the families of the lost now can find closer in one of the many tragic airplane crashes of the summer of 2010.... Peace be with them and their families!